Today, in our fantasy hockey team preview series, we will take a look at the Detroit Red Wings.
It was another busy off-season for Steve Yzerman and the Wings. They made quite the splash by trading for Alex DeBrincat and later in the summer trading for Jeff Petry. They were also busy in the free agent market, signing J.T. Compher, Daniel Spring, Shayne Gostisbehere, James Reimer, and Christian Fischer. Each of those signings has varying fantasy value.
The Wings lack the superstars of other teams but make up for some of that with depth. They teased for a wildcard last year. As the deadline approached Yzerman was shrewd. and traded Tyler Bertuzzi and Filip Hronek at the deadline for picks.
I’m not convinced the Red Wings have taken a big enough step to make the playoffs. They should once again battle for a wild card spot. The Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators, and Buffalo Sabres have also improved. It could be a log jam for the wild card come April. The Florida Panthers, and Tampa Bay Lightning, are also wild card possibilities.
Let’s take a look at the best Detroit has to offer fantasy hockey pools for 2023-2024.
Detroit Red Wings 2023-2024 Fantasy Season Preview
Red Wings Forwards
Led by Dylan Larkin, the Wings provide several solid depth options for your fantasy hockey team. Larkin has two 70-plus-point seasons under his belt and would have a third if not for missing 11 games in 2021-2022 (69 in 71). He feels safe when you draft him. A plug-and-play center that you can count on for 75 points.
The Red Wings biggest acquisition of the summer, DeBrincat, is looking to bounce back. He didn’t have a bad season; 27 goals and 66 points is nothing to sneeze at. It is not the season he, or anyone else expected though.
Expectations were much higher for DeBrincat in Ottawa. His 27 goals were the second-lowest total of his career. His 10.3% shooting percentage (SH%) was also 4% lower than his career average (3.1% after factoring in 2022-2023). A Michigan boy comes home. We should see a return to being a 15% shooter. If nothing else changes that would make him a 40-goal scorer and 79 points.
After DeBrincat and Larkin, things drop off. I know, you’re asking, ‘What about Lucas Raymond?’ I didn’t forget about him. He just isn’t in the same conversation, yet. Sitting at 156 career games, he will hit his breakout threshold sometime in January. If he starts slow, he will be a fabulous mid-season target. If all things go to fantasy plans, Detroit will have three forwards in the same fantasy tier.
David Perron is a model of consistency. Lock him in for 60 points and relax. This is what you are going to get, with the chance for more. He did have 58 points in 56 games back in 2020-2021. He’s a great mid-to-late-round pick if you’re looking for guaranteed production. J.T. Compher and Andrew Copp are bottom-of-the-draft options. They will give you decent peripherals and chip in 45 to 55 points. Nothing to write home about, but depth options If you need them.
Michael Rasmussen is turning into one hell of a 2-way forward. He was on a modest 42-point pace last year, before injury. If he can receive consistent top-six minutes and gain power-play time he’s got 55 point upside. His 2-way game does make him an attractive third-line option for his coach. Buyer beware.
Honorable mentions, Jonathan Berggren and Daniel Sprong. Both are great depth scoring options. More for the Red Wings than your fantasy team. Berggren has legit upside to his game. He is another year or two away from hitting it.
Red Wings Defense
Moritz Seider is turning into a multi-cat monster. The best multi-cat defenseman since Shea Weber. At 22, he has already produced a 50-point season. He also produces two shots a game and over two hits and two blocks per game. What are his limits? Where do we cut off offensive expectations? There are very likely many 60-point seasons ahead for Seider. Expect 50 points, with upside and massive peripherals.
When you talk about fantasy darlings, Shayne Gostisbehere makes a lot of lists. He blasted on the scene in 2015-2016 with 17 goals and 46 points in 64 games. Few had ever heard of him. From that day forward there has been a widespread love-hate relationship. Before he was traded at the deadline he was on pace for his second straight 50-point season with the Arizona Coyotes. Gostisbehere is shifty, fast, and has a great point shot. He is not a good defender. Thus, his 5 on 5 minutes will be limited. He could steal power play time from Seider if things click. Detroit is a better offensive team than Arizona. Given the right deployment, Gostisbehere has a shot at another 50-point season.
We can spill a little bit of ink on Jake Walman and Jeff Petry. In deeper leagues, they both bring depth scoring and peripheral value. Walman’s hidden value took a hit when the Red Wings traded for Petry. Any chance at second power play minutes faded in that deal. He’s still a solid two-shot, hit, block-per-game contributor with 30-point potential. Petry looked like he lost a step in Pittsburgh. We’ll see if the trade to his home town Red Wings reenergizes his legs. Similar offensive upside as Walman with better hits and blocks.
The big loser with the additions of Petry, Gostisbehere, and Justin Holl (who holds no fantasy value), is Simon Edvinsson. Detroit has eight NHL defensemen under contract. Seider is the only one on an entry-level deal. Don’t expect Edvinsson to get much more than a game here or there. Injuries or a trade will be required for him a chance this year.
Detroit Red Wings Goalies
If you believe the Red Wings are a playoff team and you are targeting Ville Husso as your secret weapon, then you better draft James Reimer as well. I have a lot of confidence in Husso being the opening night starter. I have less confidence he will maintain the starting job all year. James Reimer played well on bad San Jose Sharks teams. By January, Detroit’s goaltending situation could be a full-fledged tandem.
In his first year as a starter, Husso had real ups and downs. There were months he made Yzerman look like a genius (October and February). There were also months when he looked overwhelmed and tired (January, March, and April).
I am not convinced that Husso is a long-term solution. With the recent draft picks of Sebastian Cossa and Trey Augustine, apparently, neither is management. Husso is a mid-term stopgap until one of these highly touted prospects is ready to make the jump.
In summary, Dylan Larkin and Alex DeBrincat will give you good value in the early part of the middle rounds. Seider has a shot at 60 points this year. In points leagues, that leaves him outside of the top defensive options, but in that third or fourth tier. Neither Husso nor Reimer are elite options. If you’re looking at Detroit goalies, take the tandem. Neither has my confidence to take pure command of the number one job.
Thanks for reading. Hope you enjoyed it and found this useful as you prep for your draft.
Follow me on Twitter @doylelb4; where you’ll find as many hiking musings as you will fantasy hockey.
Make sure to check out all of our Fantasy Hockey Team Previews as they roll out over the coming weeks!